A Computational Model for the Simulation of Prepulse Inhibition and Its Modulation by Cortical and Subcortical Units

Author:

Bezerra Thiago Ohno1ORCID,Roque Antonio C.2ORCID,Salum Cristiane13ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Center of Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo 09606-045, Brazil

2. Department of Physics, School of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, Brazil

3. Interdisciplinary Applied Neuroscience Unit, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo 09606-045, Brazil

Abstract

The sensorimotor gating is a nervous system function that modulates the acoustic startle response (ASR). Prepulse inhibition (PPI) phenomenon is an operational measure of sensorimotor gating, defined as the reduction of ASR when a high intensity sound (pulse) is preceded in milliseconds by a weaker stimulus (prepulse). Brainstem nuclei are associated with the mediation of ASR and PPI, whereas cortical and subcortical regions are associated with their modulation. However, it is still unclear how the modulatory units can influence PPI. In the present work, we developed a computational model of a neural circuit involved in the mediation (brainstem units) and modulation (cortical and subcortical units) of ASR and PPI. The activities of all units were modeled by the leaky-integrator formalism for neural population. The model reproduces basic features of PPI observed in experiments, such as the effects of changes in interstimulus interval, prepulse intensity, and habituation of ASR. The simulation of GABAergic and dopaminergic drugs impaired PPI by their effects over subcortical units activity. The results show that subcortical units constitute a central hub for PPI modulation. The presented computational model offers a valuable tool to investigate the neurobiology associated with disorder-related impairments in PPI.

Funder

Coordenação de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

National Council for Scientific and Technological Development

Publisher

MDPI AG

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